Vientiane: Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung paid a courtesy call to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane on March 11, assuring the host that Hanoi, as well as Vietnam, will spare no effort, together with the Party, State and people of Laos, to preserve and foster bilateral special relationship in various areas. Dung affirmed that Hanoi always gives high priority to its important political relations with Laos, especially Vientiane capital and northern Lao provinces. In the coming time, Hanoi will work together with Vientiane and other Lao localities to enhance cooperation in a more practical and effective manner, he said, adding that in this regard, Hanoi will increase sharing experiences in various fields. PM Sonexay Siphandone, for his part, highly valued the success of joint initiatives between the two capitals under their 2022-2025 cooperation agreement, especially practical support provided by Hanoi for Vientiane during this period. Expressing his confidence that the two capitals will continue effectively realising the 2022-2025 cooperation agreement, he wished that Hanoi would actively share the best practices and lessons learned in Party and political system building, economic management, budget allocation, Capital Law drafting, decentralisation, long-term planning with innovative thinking, building of green-clean-beautiful urban areas and fight against social vices like drug abuse, among others. He envisioned a future where the two capitals become a model of local-level collaboration, thereby fostering the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation nurtured by leaders of both Parties and States. In the afternoon the same day, Dung held talks with Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Vientiane Anouphap Tounalom. Dung said in response to Laos' National Tourism Year 2024, Hanoi will collaborate with Vientiane to hold a bilateral tourism promotion programme aimed at increasing economic cooperation and people-to -people exchanges between the two capitals. He further highlighted Hanoi's keen interest in and desire to step up cooperation with Vientiane in quality human resources development this year. Beyond offering scholarships for university and postgraduate education, Hanoi stands ready to assist Vientiane in leadership training, and facilitate vocational training and internship opportunities for Vientiane artisans in Hanoi's craft villages, he said. Agreeing with Dung's proposals, Anouphap Tounalom vowed to direct local agencies to discuss with Hanoi counterparts to effectively realise them. This collaborative approach, he believed, will foster deeper mutual understanding and solidify the bonds between the two cities./. Source: Vietnam News Agency
Vietnam attends dialogue with Secretary General of La Francophonie
New York: Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), has attended a dialogue with Louise Mushikiwab, Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF). The dialogue, chaired by the Group of French-speaking Ambassadors, took place on March 9 at the UN headquarters in New York, the US. It drew the presence of more than 40 ambassadors and representatives of permanent missions of OIF member countries in New York. Addressing the event, Ambassador Giang underlined that Vietnam highly appreciates the efforts of the OIF and Secretary-General Mushikiwabo to promote multilateralism and multilingualism at the UN. He underlined Vietnam's support to French-speaking countries sharing and coordinating each other to make contributions to preparation for the future summit, the global digital agreement as well as other discussions at the UN. He affirmed said Vietnam will actively contribute to the upcoming 19th Francophonie Summit. At the ev ent, Secretary-General Mushikiwabo talked about the complicated situation in many regions, challenges that the international community is currently facing such as conflict, political and economic instability, competition between major countries, climate change, differences in development levels, digital transformation and digital disruption which are the priorities and focus of the OIF's actions from now to 2030. She called on OIF member countries to continue working together to promote a multilateral system based on the central role of the UN, adding that it is necessary to ensure multilingualism in all activities and discussions at the UN for the system to operate effectively and substantially. Mushikiwabo briefed participants about preparation for the 19th Francophone Summit to be held in France in October which focusing on creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship./. Source: Vietnam News Agency